Appearance and Character

Howland is a small man,[4] like all crannogmen, but has been described by his daughter Meera Reed as having been brave, strong, and smart in his youth as well.[5]

History

After he had reached the age of majority, Howland left home to visit the Isle of Faces in search of the green men. He stayed at the Isle of Faces all winter, but when in 280 AC the false spring began he learned about Lord Walter Whent's tourney which was to be held at Harrenhal and decided to attend the tourney. As Howland walked across the field, he was attacked by three squires. Lyanna Stark came to his rescue with a tourney sword, chasing the three squires away. Afterwards, she brought him to her tent, where he was introduced to her three brothers, Brandon, Eddard, and Benjen. Lyanna insisted he attend the feast held that evening to mark the start of the tourney, and so Howland accompanied the four Stark siblings. When they recognized the three squires who had attacked him earlier, Benjen offered to find Howland a horse and armor to he could avenge himself, but Howland gave no answer. Although he wanted to take revenge, he feared making a fool of himself as he was no knight. Howland went to pray to the old gods before being given a place in Eddard Stark's tent for the night. On the second day of jousting a mystery knight, dubbed the Knight of the Laughing Tree, entered the joust and challenged the three knights who the squires who had attacked Howland served. The three knights were defeated, and the mystery knight, whose identity remains unknown, only demanded that the knights teach their squires honor as ransom.[5]

During Robert's Rebellion, Howland fought alongside Eddard. He was one of Eddard's six companions who traveled to the Tower of Joy in search of Eddard's sister Lyanna.[4] He fought alongside Eddard against the three Kingsguardknights who were guarding the tower. Only he and Eddard survived the battle.[4] Eddard once told is son [[Bran Stark|Bran] that Howland Reed had saved his life from Ser Arthur Dayne.[3] Eddard found Lyanna and was with her when she died. Howland was among those who found Eddard, still holding Lyanna, silent with grief, and was the person who took Lyanna's hand from Eddard.[6] Next, Howland returned to the north, and has not departed the Neck since.[2]